After reading Ms. Hunting's Cupcakes and Ink series earlier this year, I became a fan. I was quite excited when she announced she was releasing The Librarian Principle because I was quite intrigued by the blurb. I'll admit that it turned into something a little different than what I originally thought and I'm totally cool with that.
This book was equal parts sexy as hell, funny and sweet. Imagine you take a new job and your boss is completely irresistible AND he has the hots for you. The feelings are completely mutual and it's burning white hot between the two of you. Not only are you physically attracted to each other, but you respect each other and enjoy spending time together- fully clothed. But he is your BOSS and you're a librarian and he is the principal. Dilemma, yes? How do you do your job and maintain a professional distance when all you can do is think of him/her? Well, you sneak around, which makes for some interesting situations. Maybe even engage in some role play? Sure. ;)
I loved Ryder and Liese and I was rooting for them the whole time and I was wondering how in the heck Ms. Hunting was going to give them their well deserved HEA. While the road to love is never paved so smoothly, Ryder and Liese had their fair share of meddling and well meaning people. Liese's co-worker, Blake and her BFF, Marissa are hilarious and they added a nice dimension to the story. Marissa is hilarious, that girl could carry a book all by herself.
While this book centers upon a somewhat "taboo" subject, it did not feel heavy or angsty. I enjoyed reading how they navigated the challenges of their professions in terms of it's impact on their personal lives.
Want to win a copy? I happen to have 3 e-copies to give away to a lucky reader! (Ms. Hunting is gifting one and I decided to add 2 more!)
“You okay? You seem a little antsy,” he observed as she uncrossed her legs for the third time in less than a minute.
“Yes, but I need a distraction.”
“From what?”
“You.”
“Me? Am I making you nervous?”
“No, you're making me horny,” Liese said and slapped her hand over her mouth. So much for maintaining the upper hand.
“Really? I'm not even trying,” Ryder said in a smooth voice that made Liese want to climb over the center console.
“Don't worry, I can resist temptation.” Liese pulled her hand away and clasped them in her lap.
“What if I don't want you to?”
“Then I'd tell you that's too bad since you're the one who enforced the stupid clause in the first place.”
“Clause?”
“Yes, the no-naked clause.”
“I thought it was a mutual agreement.” Ryder raised an eyebrow but kept his eyes on the road. “I wouldn't want to be responsible for acts of coercion. Heaven forbid I come across as domineering.” There was that smirk again, as infuriating as it was charming. “If it's too difficult for you to resist me, by all means let me know. I wouldn't want to cause you undue sexual frustration.”
“You're not egotistical at all, are you?” Liese shot back, crossing her legs. The fabric of her dress rode up, and she smoothed it down over her thighs.
Ryder's eyes moved from the road to her lap, fixated on her hands moving along the satin. “So I'm not only domineering, I'm egotistical now? Maybe I need to be punished for being so difficult to deal with.”
“You do know the road is in front of you, not in my lap, right?” Liese ignored the comment. The conversation needed to end.
“Right.” Ryder sighed and returned his attention to the road.
“And you're the one who said you were domineering, not me.”
“Am I?
“Sometimes.”
“Sorry.”
“That's okay, sometimes it turns me on,” Liese murmured, fiddling with the hem of her dress.
“And other times?” Ryder prompted.
“Okay, it turns me on most of the time, although there are occasions when it irritates the hell out of me. Now stop asking these kinds of questions. Are you purposely trying to torture me? If so, I can assure you it’s working.”
Ryder took her hand again, bringing it to his lips. “I would never torture you intentionally—unless you wanted me to, of course.”
Liese snatched her hand away. The soft brush of his lips across her skin made the persistent ache low in her belly flare. “Not helpful,” she said. “Change the subject, please, or pull over.”
Ryder took his foot off the accelerator, clearly considering the request. His eyes moved over her in a feral sweep. Liese bit back a smile of triumph, trying to maintain her composure.
Purchase The Librarian Principle: Amazon // B&N // Kobo
This review was originally posted on Straight Shootin' Book Reviews